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The Terminator is one of the most important motion pictures of the 1980s, as it launched the career of visionary director James Cameron and catapulted Austrian bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger to stardom. Cameron went on to helm several groundbreaking blockbusters in later years (Aliens, Terminator 2, Titanic, Avatar, and so on), while Arnie developed into a legendary big-name action star with such movies as Commando, Predator, Total Recall and The Running Man. 1984's The Terminator spawned these two Hollywood legends for good reason - this is one of the most remarkable, original science fiction/action films in history. Unhindered by its modest $6.4 million budget, Cameron put every cent of the financing to great use, resulting in several memorable images and set pieces. Crucially, The Terminator is pitched as more of a horror movie, with Schwarzenegger depicted as a genuinely terrifying and intimidating presence that seemingly cannot be stopped. Benefitting from still-impressive special effects, remarkable performances, ample excitement and a mesmerising pace, The Terminator is one of the greatest movies of all time, and it remains the best instalment in the Terminator franchise.
In 2029, humans are at war against the machines. Leading up to the global nuclear war, tech company Cyberdyne Systems set up an artificially intelligent defence network called Skynet, based on a neural net of learning computers. However, when the system becomes self-aware, it strikes against humankind and nearly wipes out the planet's population. In 1997, on a day known as Judgment Day, three billion human lives were lost in a nuclear holocaust triggered by Skynet, and only small pockets of human resistance are still alive. Their only hope is human resistance leader John Connor, who encourages his fellow survivors to fight back in coordinated attacks. Consequently, Skynet has practically lost the war and is on the brink of extermination. To reverse this outcome, Skynet sends a humanlike cyborg - a T-800 model Terminator (played by Schwarzenegger) - back in time. His mission is to exterminate John Connor before his birth and entirely prevent his existence. The Terminator is sent back to 1984, and his target is John's mother, an innocuous waitress named Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). However, the Terminator is not the only one to enter the time portal. To protect his mother from the ruthless cyborg assassin, John sends a soldier, Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), back to 1984 to destroy the indestructible Terminator.
Cameron and co-writer Gale Anne Hurd structure The Terminator as an extended chase, with the vulnerable Sarah and Reese perpetually on the run from the relentless Terminator. Of course, Sarah initially distrusts Reese, but a bond gradually forms between them that develops into a romance. The Terminator is as lean, economical and relentless as its antagonist, but Cameron nevertheless allows us to get to know Sarah and Reese, and grow to care about them and their relationship. There's plenty of expository dialogue to explain the Future War and reveal more about the Terminators, but it's usually provided during intense chase sequences, conveying critical information without boring viewers to death. Thanks to these aforementioned characteristics, a question will constantly linger in the mind: can the Terminator be stopped? This generates the hard-to-nail asset of tension, keeping your eyes glued to the screen and keeping you thoroughly engaged in the proceedings.
The Terminator's key strength is combining action with ambitious ideas, making it feel more substantial than a run-of-the-mill, turn-off-your-brain collection of fights, shootouts and car chases. The plot involves time travel and its inherent paradoxes, requiring viewers to pay attention or risk being lost. Additionally, the circumstances surrounding the Future War are especially thought-provoking, especially in the 21st Century with advances in technology and artificial intelligence. As demonstrated in several of his movies, Cameron is a filmmaker able to incorporate provocative sociocultural themes that blow you out of your seat, thrilling your heart and mind. The Terminator is no different. However, noted science fiction author Harlan Ellison sued Cameron in the years following the film's release, claiming that The Terminator bore more than a passing resemblance to an Outer Limits teleplay of his. While the similarities are arguably insignificant, the settlement resulted in Ellison gaining an undisclosed amount of money and an acknowledgement of his works in the end credits.
The Terminator was produced for a relatively paltry sum, yet the believability of the sets and effects (mostly) belie the production's low-budget nature. Cameron constructs a stunning, chilling vision of Earth's bleak future here, and the movie is exceptionally atmospheric throughout. The Future War sequences remain the best in the franchise because they are pitched as dark, harrowing and scary, and the film's rough-around-the-edge grittiness beats the glossiness of subsequent instalments. Late great special effects guru Stan Winston was responsible for the Terminator effects, and while some shots are dated, there are many impressive effects sequences throughout. Admittedly, the Terminator endoskeleton movement during the climax looks somewhat phoney, but the film's other attributes are solid enough to overcome such shortcomings. The soundtrack is largely impressive, as well, with booming sound effects and Brad Fiedel's effective synth score. The main Terminator theme is particularly outstanding and memorable.
In 1984, Schwarzenegger was a star with limited acting experience, but he had precisely what Cameron needed: a relentless countenance and an imposing physique. Schwarzenegger's Achilles heel was convincing dialogue delivery, but this was no impediment in the case of The Terminator. After all, the role called for him to be an emotionless cyborg that kills without compunction, with a binary code governing his actions and attitudes. Arnie's deadpan voice affords an unnerving edge to the limited dialogue he delivers. Additionally, Schwarzenegger's ability to effectively immerse himself into the role makes his performance so memorable; he looks perpetually stoic, focused and in the moment. The Terminator is also the movie that introduced Arnie's catchphrase, "I'll be back." Meanwhile, the film's other two leads - Biehn and Hamilton - are highly impressive, with their relative inexperience never showing through. Both of them are charismatic, physically adept, and suitably intense. The love story between Kyle and Sarah is believable thanks to the excellent leads, and this romance makes the film both raw and emotional.
Upon release in 1984, the film's distributor - Orion Pictures - did not give The Terminator a large marketing push as they perceived it as a small, niche-market action film. As it turns out, they were wrong - the film was #1 at the box office for two weeks and earned more than ten times its production budget. Like its titular villain, The Terminator is relentless in tension and action. With its thought-provoking premise, it engendered a new era of sci-fi/action films, and it has never been surpassed or equalled by any of its imitators. The Terminator stands as a profound reminder that action movies can provoke an on-screen adrenaline rush without short-circuiting the brain. The film's success eventually led to numerous sequels, beginning with Terminator 2: Judgment Day in 1991.
10/10
